Report from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the ex-post evaluation of the External Borders Fund for the period 2007-2010

The External Borders Fund (EBF) was created for the period 2007-2013 and given a budget of €1,858 million. It is part of the general programme ‘Solidarity and Management of Migration Flows’, which has a total budget of €4,032,23 million.

The purpose of the EBF is to support the creation of consistent capacity to manage migration flows and apply common border and visa management standards across the Schengen Area. It was set up to promote solidarity among Member States by providing them with financial assistance to manage their migration flows and by contributing to the development of a common integrated border management system. The EBF is implemented by 28 countries and works with a strategic multiannual programme covering the whole programming period. The yearly financial allocations are negotiated separately and laid down in annual programmes.

The Decision establishing the EBF requires the Commission to submit an ex-post evaluation report on the EBF’s implementation for the period 2007-10 by 31 December 2012. This report must be based on national reports evaluating the results and impact of the national actions co-financed by the EBF. Originally the Member States were required to submit their reports by 30 June 2012. However, since this deadline coincided with the end of the eligibility period for the actions of the 2010 annual programme, it was extended to 31 October 2012 so that their overall results could be included.

This report presents the main ex-post findings of 26 participating countries. Together they cover a financial allocation of €630 million, or 40% of the EBF’s total allocation. To ensure comparability of their data, Member States were provided with pre-defined reporting templates discussed and amended by the Common Committee for Solidarity and Management of Migration Flows. The summary of the national ex-post evaluation reports has been drawn up by a private contractor.

See also:
- Report from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the ex-post evaluation of the European Return Fund for the period 2008-2010

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